The No campaign is spreading blatant misinformation: Time to set the record straight
For Immediate Release
The No campaign is spreading blatant misinformation: Time to set the record straight
The Let’s Get Crystal Clear campaign has taken a fact-based approach to the Crystal Pool Replacement Project referendum. We are disappointed that the "No" campaign, and specifically financial agent and husband of Councillor Stephen Hammond, Jack Boomer, have been spreading misinformation online.
"As a councillor, I’m working full time to ensure voters have correct information to make an informed decision. There is a lot of information to consider, and I’m disappointed to see the vote-no side sharing information that is clearly false or misleading," states Councillor Matt Dell.
Information is being distributed by the 'No' campaign in leaflets dropped door-to-door, as well as online.
One example of misinformation is that the Johnson Street Bridge project was the last major capital project undertaken in Victoria. It was not.
The last major project was the Johnson Street Firehall project, which includes housing on top of it. This roughly $35m project was completed on time and on budget, and during a global pandemic.
As a result of the Bridge project, the City implemented new, more conservative budgeting principles, including the use of large contingencies and budgets for expected cost escalation. These principles were applied to the Firehall project and are now being applied to the Crystal Pool project. This includes building a 26% contingency into the budget.
Since the 'No' campaign is a registered third-party campaign with Elections BC, our campaign will file a complaint with Elections BC for use of false or misleading information.
Other misinformation that we have seen online includes the following:
- That the facility can reasonably be renovated.
The last costing exercise undertaken by the City to investigate retrofitting found that the costs were comparable to replacement.
Due to the many changes that have been made to the BC Building Code in recent years, related to seismic safety,energy efficiency and emissions requirements, and accessibility, staff advised Council that retrofitting is technically possible, but likely more expensive.
It would require work that was so extensive that it would essentially constitute a rebuild. Given that the building does not have heritage value, it only makes sense to replace it to meet the community’s safety, accessibility, recreation, and climate objectives, as well as the demands of the updated Building Code.
- That this should be a “regional” facility.
The CRD has no regional or sub-regional service that could finance it and there are no signs that the CRD would create one. Victoria residents did not help pay for Esquimalt Rec, Oak Bay Rec, or Saanich’s facilities, and those residents aren’t expected to pay for Victoria’s.
In short, there is no pathway for a regional referendum on a civic pool in Victoria.3. That the City should be partnering with the YMCA on the project.
The Y sold its property downtown and is closing its pool in less than two years. The organization has made it clear that it does not have the capital to contribute to a new Crystal Pool and is struggling financially. It is apparently looking to downsize to a facility without aquatics.
The Y is not seeking to partner with Crystal Pool.
- That the new facility will include an Olympic-sized pool and/or is designed for competitions.
The new facility would be designed to meet the needs of everyday Victorians, including seniors, families, those in swim clubs and swim lessons, aquafit practitioners, scuba and kayak clubs, and so on, while welcoming diverse users from across CRD.
The new Crystal Pool is not meant to host international competitions, and would be designed very differently than such pools, for example Commonwealth’s Pool. A competition pool does not have a shallow end, includes 10 lanes, and needs special amenities for competition.
- That a smaller facility would suffice.
Currently Crystal Pool operates 22% over capacity. Staff estimates that last year 66,000 visits were unable to occur due to a lack of capacity.
All other pools in the region are also at or over capacity. It therefore makes no sense to build a smaller facility when Victoria is growing.
Let's Get Crystal Clear – Coalition to Replace Crystal Pool
LetsGetCrystalClear.ca
Source: Facebook